People's Democracy

PUNJAB

CPI(M) Warns Against Mischievous Attempts To Divide People

Charan Singh Virdi

MEETING at Chandigarh on September 17-18, the Punjab state committee of the CPI(M) took strong exception to the statement made by BJP leader Sushma Sawraj demanding a separate legislative assembly for Chandigarh. The statement issued at the conclusion of the meeting characterised the demand as mischievous and aimed at dividing the people of Punjab on communal lines.

Reiterating that Chandigarh belonged to Punjab, the state committee urged upon the UPA government at the centre to immediately transfer Chandigarh to Punjab. It has also demanded a resolution to long-pending issues like sharing of river waters, territorial disputes etc. within the framework of the Rajiv-Longowal Accord. The state committee felt that this would also help in defeating the nefarious goals of the extremist forces, which are once again resurfacing in Punjab.

The state committee commended the intervention of CPI(M) MPs when the Nanavati Commission Report was placed in parliament. It also noted that this intervention of the Party has been widely appreciated not only by the secular and democratic forces but also by the common people in the state.

The meeting observed that the discontent against the Amrinder Singh government was growing due to its failure to address the genuine grievances of all sections of the people. It also condemned the Akali Dal (Badal) for its inability in discharging its role as the main opposition party by struggling for the economic and democratic issues of various sections of the people.

CPI(M) general secretary, Prakash Karat, who attended the meeting reported on international and national developments and guided the deliberations.

DEMANDS

The state committee meeting adopted a number of resolutions and through these resolutions, the following demands were raised:

•  Free supply of 200 units of electricity to agricultural labourers, dalits and other landless rural poor.

• Peasants owning not more than 7.50 acres of land be given free power connections. Until then those using pump-sets should be compensated.

• Stop privatisation of schools and hospitals. Lift the ban on recruitment in all government departments and vacancies filled immediately. Register the Unions of Ludhiana Cycle Industry.

• Concede demands of the struggling students of Punjabi University. Stop victimisation of student leaders. A CBI enquiry into allegations that the vice chancellor is hobnobbing with Hawara and other extremist groups as also into the death of an eminent professor under mysterious circumstances.

Through a separate resolution the state committee extended its support to the struggles being waged by different sections of the people.

The meeting also called upon all the its units in the state to make the September 29 industrial strike call given by the trade unions and the call for Rail Roko and Rasta roko given by the Kisan Sabha and Khet Mazadoor Union a success.

SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN

Responding to the central committee’s call, a fortnight long campaign focusing on the issue of land, food and employment was held in Punjab between August 16 and 31.

The state committee had decided to conduct a widespread campaign covering the entire state. This campaign was to take the form of district-level jathas.  These jathas were flagged off by state secretariat members in-charge of the respective districts, on August 16.  These jathas moved from place to place addressing wayside gatherings and public meetings. The gatherings mostly comprised of the rural poor, especially the dalit sections. Dalit women also participated in the meetings at various places. In some districts cultural squads, artists and singers also participated in the campaign. On the concluding day, August 31, rallies were held in most of the district headquarters.

Apart from the issues of land, food and employment which were the focus of the campaign, local issues were raised at various places. The intervention of CPI(M) MPs in parliament when the Nanavati Commission report was tabled was also highlighted during the campaign. The September 29 industrial strike call and the call for rasta roko and rail roko were also popularised during the campaign.

10,000 copies of the two campaign folders brought out by the centre were translated into Punjabi, published and sold. Special issues of the Punjabi Lok Lehar and other local level hand bills were also utilised in the campaign.

The campaign evoked a good response amongst the rural poor especially the
dalit sections.  The jathas were received with enthusiasm wherever they went. At many places purses were also presented to the jatha leaders. The campaign was a great success and enthused and activised the entire Party in Punjab.